There’s literally NO HACK for repairing and restoring a tired mind-body. Not one single substitute for rest. And if you’re having a harder time than usual, your need for rest will increase in order to balance out the additional energy you use via an activated nervous system.

Many of us lead intensely demanding and busy lives – if you’re struggling with feeling calm and relaxed, it’s pretty likely that being overtired will sometimes be a factor. A slow build up, in your bones, kind of tired can sometimes be difficult to spot, because if you have ignored or overridden the signs for years, you might not even notice them anymore.

It might seem like a simple idea, but getting rest is complicated, on individual and systemic levels in our society. We all face our own challenges with rest. A few of mine include:

  • sticky (lovely) children wrapped around me
  • a night owl husband
  • technology and all the fascinating podcasts, audiobooks, emails, messages, photos and recipes to look up at 11pm
  • living in a society which places way more importance on outer world demands than inner world needs

Some of my small but mighty solutions, influenced by my work as a psychologist and my respect and interest in nature and the way our ancestors would have lived cyclically, like all other natural things, include:

  • a family bed
  • early bedtimes at least 4 times week
  • low lights in the evening
  • bright lights and joyous movement as early as possible each day
  • restorative yoga or something similar (stretching, breathwork, yoga-nidra, being in or near water, fields or trees, music) anytime
  • 🎖#menstrualcycleawareness which has taught me the astounding value of resting within my 28 day cycle. This looks a bit like me prioritizing maximum quiet days, early nights and low-stim activities (to go inward) where possible around the second half of my cycle, especially around my period, leaving me with bags more energy for activity and others (to go outward) for the rest of the month.

Not too great for the #algorithm, but really great for the #innerrhythm

What are some of your challenges to rest, and do you have any secrets to share?